Faculty of Natural Sciences People
Faculty Leadership
Position: Dean of Natural Sciences
Tel: 021 959 2255
Fax: 021 959 1241
Email: dholgate@uwc.ac.za
Bio:
Professor David Holgate is a senior professor and holder of the UWC-AIMS Research Chair in Mathematics.
He began his academic career at the University of Cape Town, where he completed a BSc (Hons) in Actuarial Science and an MSc and PhD in Mathematics.
His post-doctoral studies in Germany and Italy were followed by 14 years at the University of Stellenbosch before joining UWC in 2012. Here, he served as the head of the Department of Mathematics and Applied Mathematics, followed by terms as Deputy Dean of the Faculty of Natural Sciences, responsible for Learning and Teaching.
Prof Holgate holds a B2-rating from the National Research Foundation (NRF) for his research in Topology and Category Theory.
He is passionate about sharing his love for mathematics through teaching and academic service in the context of South Africa, where he believes that the natural sciences have a truly powerful role to play in nation-building and addressing social injustice.
He has received national awards for his teaching and maintains a broad involvement in national academic activities.
He is an associate editor of the South African mathematics journal Quaestiones Mathematicae, chairperson of the council of the African Institute for Mathematical Sciences (AIMS), and a founding member of the National Graduate Academy for Mathematical and Statistical Sciences (NGA-MaSS).
He has previously served on the Council of the South African Mathematical Society (SAMS) and the board of the South African Mathematics Foundation (SAMF).
Prof Holgate makes sure that academic activities do not take all his time away from his life’s other passions – his family and the fynbos, mountains and oceans of the Western Cape.
Tel: 021 959 2255
Fax: 021 959 1241
Email: dholgate@uwc.ac.za
Bio:
Professor David Holgate is a senior professor and holder of the UWC-AIMS Research Chair in Mathematics.
He began his academic career at the University of Cape Town, where he completed a BSc (Hons) in Actuarial Science and an MSc and PhD in Mathematics.
His post-doctoral studies in Germany and Italy were followed by 14 years at the University of Stellenbosch before joining UWC in 2012. Here, he served as the head of the Department of Mathematics and Applied Mathematics, followed by terms as Deputy Dean of the Faculty of Natural Sciences, responsible for Learning and Teaching.
Prof Holgate holds a B2-rating from the National Research Foundation (NRF) for his research in Topology and Category Theory.
He is passionate about sharing his love for mathematics through teaching and academic service in the context of South Africa, where he believes that the natural sciences have a truly powerful role to play in nation-building and addressing social injustice.
He has received national awards for his teaching and maintains a broad involvement in national academic activities.
He is an associate editor of the South African mathematics journal Quaestiones Mathematicae, chairperson of the council of the African Institute for Mathematical Sciences (AIMS), and a founding member of the National Graduate Academy for Mathematical and Statistical Sciences (NGA-MaSS).
He has previously served on the Council of the South African Mathematical Society (SAMS) and the board of the South African Mathematics Foundation (SAMF).
Prof Holgate makes sure that academic activities do not take all his time away from his life’s other passions – his family and the fynbos, mountains and oceans of the Western Cape.
Position: Deputy Dean Research & Professor of Physical Chemistry
Tel: +27 (021) 959-3049
Fax: +27 (021) 959-3055
Email: fngece@uwc.ac.za
Links:
https://scholar.google.com/citations?user=DgSUUIkAAAAJ&hl=en
https://www.linkedin.com/in/fanelwangeceajayi/
https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Rachel-Ngece-Ajayi-2
https://www.youtube.com/@thesociablechemist
https://www.instagram.com/thesociablechemist/
https://www.instagram.com/fanelwaa/
Tel: +27 (021) 959-3049
Fax: +27 (021) 959-3055
Email: fngece@uwc.ac.za
Bio:
Prof. Fanelwa Ngece-Ajayi is a C2-rated Professor of Physical Chemistry and Deputy Dean of Research and Innovation (2023-2026) at the Faculty of Natural Sciences based at the University of the Western Cape. Leading research at SensorLab, she focuses on green and sustainable nanotechnology, particularly the development of drug metabolism sensors using green nanomaterials with additional interests in water purification, plant enhancement and the eradication of harmful microbes. She mentors postgraduate students, hosts workshops, and contributes to academic and funding panels globally. She is a director of various non-profit organisations, a consultant at Lady in Red Opera Pty Ltd and is a member of the South African Young Academy of Sciences (SAYAS) Advisory Committe while promoting STEM education through her non-profit organisation, AmaQawe ngeMfundo NPO and podcast; The Sociable Chemist Podcast. She is recognised with multiple awards for her research and community engagement work, including the 2018 South Africa Inspiring Fifty Women in STEM, the 2019 NRF Research Excellence Award for Early Career / Emerging Researchers, the 2019 UWC Institutional Engagement Award and the 2025 NGO NSTF award. Her international recognition has led to her appointment as a journal reviewer for Food Research International, MethodsX, Springer Nature Microfluidics, Nanofluidics, Springer Analytical, Bioanalytical Chemistry among others. Since 2023 Prof Ngece-Ajayi is the chairperson of the Department of Physics Advisory Committee at the University of Zululand and the editor for Nano Trends-A Journal of Nano Technology and Its Applications, and the International Journal of Nanomaterials and Nanostructures. Prof Ngece-Ajayi is an alumnus of the following prestigious programmes; AIMS Next Einstein Forum (NEF), Africa Science Leadership Programme (ASLP), TechWomen and the Department of Higher Education and Training’s Future Professors Programme (FPP).Links:
https://scholar.google.com/citations?user=DgSUUIkAAAAJ&hl=en
https://www.linkedin.com/in/fanelwangeceajayi/
https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Rachel-Ngece-Ajayi-2
https://www.youtube.com/@thesociablechemist
https://www.instagram.com/thesociablechemist/
https://www.instagram.com/fanelwaa/
Position: Deputy Dean of Postgraduate Studies and Senior Professor (Department of Mathematics and Applied Mathematics)
Tel: 021 959 3917
Fax:
Email: kpatidar@uwc.ac.za
Tel: 021 959 3917
Fax:
Email: kpatidar@uwc.ac.za
Position: Deputy Dean: Learning and Teaching & Learning and Teaching Specialist
Tel: 021 959 2311
Fax: 021 959 2266
Email: cconana@uwc.ac.za
Tel: 021 959 2311
Fax: 021 959 2266
Email: cconana@uwc.ac.za
Dean's Office Staff
Faculty Administrative Staff
Position: Faculty Officer: Undergraduate
Tel: 021 959 3493
Fax: 021 959 2266
Email: riwilliams@uwc.ac.za
Tel: 021 959 3493
Fax: 021 959 2266
Email: riwilliams@uwc.ac.za
Position: Faculty Officer: Academic Planning
Tel: 021 959 2338
Fax: 021 959 2266
Email: dduplooy@uwc.ac.za
Tel: 021 959 2338
Fax: 021 959 2266
Email: dduplooy@uwc.ac.za
Position: Faculty Officer: Postgraduate
Tel: 021 959 3136
Fax: 021 959 2266
Email: nisaacs@uwc.ac.za
Tel: 021 959 3136
Fax: 021 959 2266
Email: nisaacs@uwc.ac.za
Faculty Librarians
Position: Faculty Librarian: Natural Sciences
Tel: 021 959 2930
Email: llbrown@uwc.ac.za
Departments
Tel: 021 959 2930
Email: llbrown@uwc.ac.za
Departments
